C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Changing dash light bulbs

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Old Oct 8, 2008 | 12:54 PM
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Default Changing dash light bulbs

I have a dash bulb out in my C4. Where can I find the correct bulb replacement? It is the right side of the dash (RPM side) that is dim. It functions fine but is just dim. Is this a replacement for the dealer only, or can an independent mechanic replace the bulb? Thanks!
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Old Oct 8, 2008 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by cajuncorvette
I have a dash bulb out in my C4. Where can I find the correct bulb replacement? It is the right side of the dash (RPM side) that is dim. It functions fine but is just dim. Is this a replacement for the dealer only, or can an independent mechanic replace the bulb? Thanks!
GOOD mechanic (emphasis on the GOOD) should be able to replace the bulb, no need to pay a dealer big $$$ for a relatively simple job.

Check the back of your owner's manual for the bulb number, if you can't find it post again and might be able to look it up in the factory manuals.
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Old Oct 8, 2008 | 01:46 PM
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I changed all four on my 85 it might have taken ten minutes.
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Old Oct 8, 2008 | 01:57 PM
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Alright, since I don't know what year you're talking about I'm just going to guess it's the early digital cluster.

The bulb is an 882 bulb. Available at some parts stores. I got mine at Napa.

The replacement procedure will depend on weather the bulb holder (plastic base) is broken or not.

If the bulb holder is there and in tact, you can simply remove the front plastic trim, and swap out the bulb element from the front with a pair of pliers and that's it.

There is one bulb under each of these heat shields. Remove the front trim, then turn the key on to see which are out.

The bulb holders get brittle and fragile with time. So if your bulb holder is missing or broken, then you must remove the entire cluster, remove the back cover, seperate the two main circuit boards, and twist on the new bulb with holder from the inside. Don't forget to retreive the broken peices of the old holder before you button it back up.



Either method is easy to do. The only sorta hard part is getting the two circuit boards of the cluster seperated because the pin connection is rather tight. Just go slow. And that's assuming you even need to remove the cluster. No need for a dealer.
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Old Oct 8, 2008 | 06:25 PM
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I just replaced mine in my 86' vette, they are 882 bulbs and I got mine at Advance auto parts, I think they ran about $8.oo apiece
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Old Oct 9, 2008 | 09:04 AM
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You can replace the bulbs yourself and deff. save a ton of money. But as other users have said- take your time. It is dificult to pull the dash out of its housing, but just take it slow and fandango it a little bit. I would suggest laying a thin towel over your steering column to prevent it from getting scratched up by the dash. The back of the dash is all metal and therefore has a tendency of scratching. But I'm 19 and I have pulled mine out many times. It's not fun, but it does say a ton of money.
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Old Sep 18, 2024 | 07:26 PM
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Default 92 C4 dash lights

Originally Posted by my83432
I changed all four on my 85 it might have taken ten minutes.
where are the dash bulbs located on a 92C4?some work and some don't. Any help would be great
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Beian 92 corvette
where are the dash bulbs located on a 92C4?some work and some don't. Any help would be great
Here is the back of my dashboard. All the round black things are lights. They are very simple to change, just twist and pull to remove.

https://batee.com/pages/1990-1996-corvette
This website will give you all the information you need to fix your lights. (IT ALSO HAS INFORMATION FOR EARLY CARS WITH THE DIGITAL DASH). The Digital Cluster/Instrument Panel section has videos for the entire procedure, including removing the instrument panel.
You can also buy bulbs here under the store section, but you may be able to find them cheaper elsewhere.
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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by sheriffjim
Here is the back of my dashboard. All the round black things are lights. They are very simple to change, just twist and pull to remove.

https://batee.com/pages/1990-1996-corvette
This website will give you all the information you need to fix your lights. (IT ALSO HAS INFORMATION FOR EARLY CARS WITH THE DIGITAL DASH). The Digital Cluster/Instrument Panel section has videos for the entire procedure, including removing the instrument panel.
You can also buy bulbs here under the store section, but you may be able to find them cheaper elsewhere.
ok thank you, do all those black dots controll all the dash lights in the car? My shifter lights work and the power seats lights work its the heater/ ac controls that are dim, the pannel where you turn the lights on are out.

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Old Sep 22, 2024 | 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Beian 92 corvette
ok thank you, do all those black dots controll all the dash lights in the car? My shifter lights work and the power seats lights work its the heater/ ac controls that are dim, the pannel where you turn the lights on are out.
Unfortunately this is only for the instrument cluster. The AC head unit is a separate thing and will have to be taken apart. Its likely that the lights are soldered in. Best thing to do is find someone who repairs these AC units. It's what I had to do for my radio. (I tried soldering new lights myself and made it worse )
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Old Sep 23, 2024 | 05:31 PM
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Are the 91’s different
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Old Sep 26, 2024 | 05:23 PM
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91 has the exact same interior as the 92 and 93. Changed slightly in 94 but still mostly the same through the end of production.
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